Every year from July 7th-14th thousands pack into Pamplona to start Spain's most famous bull-running fiesta to honour



Navarre capital's patron saint, San Fermin. Spain stages more than 3,000 fiestas (festivals) each year but the 7 days of

bull-running are the favourite in terms of spectacle and excitement. After the daybreak of July 7th, runners (mainly young

men) gather at the bottom of Santo Domingo, which is the starting line. They crowd together and sing to the image of San

Fermin which is placed in a niche on a wall. The song goes: "We ask San Ferm'n, as our Patron, to guide us through the

Bull Run and give us his blessing."

Then, as a rocket goes off, a number of fighting bulls are let out onto the streets. A second rocket is then let off to

make sure everyone knows the bulls are loose in the street. The bulls run along the narrow street 825 meters (half a mile)

to a bull ring. The runners dash along in front of the bulls, aiming to feel the breath of the bull on their backs,

getting as close as possible - all whilst trying to avoid getting gored by their sharp horns. The supposed way to do this

is to start off slowly when the bulls are quite a distance behind. Then as they get nearer start running like hell! You

can then go near them for a short time, as near as you are prepared to risk it, and then quickly get out of the way.

Runners look for a gap in the fence to slip through or jump over, or a space against the wall of the street. When the

bulls finally reach the end of the street, they go into pens and are kept until later that day they are killed in a

bullfight.

The tradition is said to have come from practicality when, in 1591 residents merely had to herd the bulls to the bull-

fighting arena. At first only the drovers were used to lead the bulls. But it seems that at some date, the butcher's

guild, which had the responsibility of buying the bulls, began to join in with the drovers and began to chase behind the

bulls and heifers up to the bull-ring from Santo Domingo Street - the starting point of the run. As time passed the event

became more and more popular and some people began to run in front of the bulls and not behind them, as the drovers do. In

1852, a new bull-ring was built and a new route - becoming much shorter also, because as from 1899, it was decided to

bring the bulls up to a small corral in Santo Domingo street the night before they fight in the ring. Originally only a

few daring souls ran with the bulls but the adrenaline rush of running in front of a 1500lb bull has since caught on.

People now journey from all around the world to run with the bulls. For those crazy folk who choose to take part in the

challenging run then there are a number of basic guidelines to be followed.

It is forbidden to run if are under 18. Never, ever run if you are drunk or excessively tired. Do not carry items such as

cameras, videos, backpacks, etc. They will get damaged or impede your exit. Unsuitable clothing or footwear is forbidden.

You must enter the route at an official gate either at the Plaza Consistorial or at the Plaza del Mercado. Gates close at

7.30am. While running you must be sure to look all around you. Up ahead for other runners who might trip you and behind

for the bulls. This is not a race and you won't be able to run the entire route so have in mind beforehand a spot where

you plan to exit. The bulls run very fast and will be ahead of you before you know it. Do not try to touch the bulls or

catch their attention as a distracted bull may decide to break from the herd. A lone bull is extremely dangerous and much

more likely to attack. Also the drovers, who carry very large poles, do not tolerate messing and freely whack offenders.

If you should fall there is one and only one thing to do. Stay down and cover your head. When all the bulls have passed

someone will tap you on the shoulder to let you know you're safe. You may receive some bumps and bruises but that should

be all. If you happen to run the last section of the route into the bullring then upon entering the ring spread out to the

sides and let the drovers do their work of sidling the bulls into the pen. There will be a lot of runners in the ring and

again a distracted bull can cause serious danger.

Hotel accommodation in Pamplona and the surrounding area during the festival is at a premium and needs to be reserved

early. Another option is camping although the nearest site is several miles from the city and again needs to be booked

early. Many visitors simply try to last the pace grabbing a few hours sleep here and there to keep them going and sleeping

outdoors happens everywhere. An excellent alternative for those wishing to combine the experience of San Fermin with a

more complete and varied tour is to stay in any of the neighbouring cities of Vitoria, Bilbao or San Sebastian. All offer

a variety of accommodation options and frequent bus services specially laid on for the San Fermin festival. One final word

if you are to truly enjoy the festival, obey the authorities and have respect for this incredibly welcoming city.

Interested in living in Spain? Visit Paramount Places to discover inexpensive mobile living in an English speaking resort

community.